rear transmission seal replacement

[Shakey]

Have developed a transmission fluid leak out of the rear of transmission. The oil has sprayed over the bottom of the car from the area of the rear seal on back to the rear. Had experienced this last year and successfully replaced the old seal with a new one. At the time the old seal (although pitted) came right out and the new one went right in. This time things have not gone as well.

When trying to remove the old seal this time I found it to be almost fused in place and needed to use a needle nose pliers and a metal pick to try and pull the seal apart. At this time only pieces of the seal have been removed and have damaged the metal ring that the seal seats to. I guess with more work I can get the rest of the seal out but the damaged metal ring will probably need to be replaced. Need some information on what is involved in replacing this ring and where can any replacement parts be had from. Any reason this seal has become so difficult to remove? Have autocrossed a few times and use Red Line Manual Tran. Oil MT-90.

[Bambikiller240]

If I am understanding you correctly, the "metal ring" is actually machined into the transmission housing, so you'd have to replace the entire tailshaft housing if it is gouged up badly. The seal should be a tight fit (requiring a hammer and brass drift or block of wood to install the seal properly. When I had to replace my rear trans seal, I bought a cheap seal puller from the parts store to remove the seal. When it came time to install the seal I cleaned the entire area very well and applied a bead of good quality sealant to the trans housing (metal ring as you say) then tapped the seal into place evenly around the circumferance. Let it dry for a day or so before I added gear oil. So far, no leak.

[Shakey]

Carl, Can you tell me more about "rplacing the Tailshaft housing"? Does tis require removing the entire transmission? Tom

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by Shakey

Carl, Can you tell me more about "rplacing the Tailshaft housing"? Does tis require removing the entire transmission? Tom

I can't tell you much about it other than what we are really talking about is disassembly of the transmission and installing the guts into a different housing. It would need to be removed from the car, and you'd need to find a donor transmission for the replacement housing.

How bad is the "metal ring" torn up? Picture?

I'd try to avoid it if at all possible or maybe take the opportunity to replace your current trans with a 5 speed or another 4 speed.

[Shakey]

Carl, The "metal ring" is not in great shape. Have been crusing over my manuals and have gotten the general picture of what may need to be done and does seen that a complete removal of the tranny is necessary. Have been seriously considering a 5-speed and beefer rear end, but that project was scheduled for this next winter. Will take it from here. Thanks Tom

[tanny]

If you are definitely going to install a different tranny soon, but need to get by for a short period, why not clean up the "ring" as best as possible and install the new seal with some JB weld or something similar to seal any gouges in the "ring". You won't be using that tail section anymore, so who cares if you can't replace the seal again? Might work and what is there to lose? Victor.

[DaveR]

Mega bump because while I was struggling with this, this is the thread I kept finding.

I had issues getting my rear seal out, and partially destroyed the previous seal. Scared that I might do something like this thread, I stopped... and purchased the Lisle 58430 Shaft type seal puller.  I had to find a way to prop it against the housing, but i used a block of wood and rigged it up and pulled out the seal successfully.

When I got it out, I inspected the previously installed seal and it appears to have a metal ring built into the back side of it that my new OEM one does not. I crushed this when removing, but figured if it was necessary my OEM seal would have had it.  

Is this just a particular feature of the original or possibly aftermarket seal that was installed previously? or something I need to source and use for my replacement?  Images of the original 32136-U0100 lead me to believe it might have been built into the original and possibly not required to replace with my new  32136-U010A version.

Edited June 20, 2016 by DaveR